We gather in our spiritual home on the High Holy Days to seek God's presence, to share our lives as Jews and to be part of the community of Israel. Our services offer a diversity of style, blending the traditional with the contemporary in prayer and song.

Evening Services - On Erev Rosh Hashanah and Erev Yom Kippur, we have two identical services beginning at 6:00 or 8:45 p.m., in order to allow you to choose the best time for your holiday observance. The services are conducted by our rabbis, with music by our cantor and professional choir.

Children's Services - On both Holy Days, we being the day with Children's Services. On Rosh Hashanah, our creative service titled A New Beginning starts at 9:00 a.m. The child-friendly service led by our rabbis and filled with lively guitar music, is a wonderful way for families with young children to celebrate the New Year.
On Rosh Hashanah, children who have a Shofar are invited to the pulpit to join in a resounding blast. Rabbi Silk will delight these youngsters with a story. On Yom Kippur, another creative service, It's Better To Be Better, begins at 9:30 a.m. This service is also led by our Rabbis and Barbara Loeser sings and plays the guitar. Rabbi Prass will tell a story.

Rosh Hashanah Morning - 10:30 a.m. - We have two services; one at the Temple and the other at the Hyatt Regency.
For the service at the Temple we utilize Gates of Repentance. Lay readers participate in reading the service which includes music by the cantor and professional choir.
For those who worship at our Alternative Service - A Time To Pray, the location this year has been changed. It will be held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel downtown at 1200 Louisiana. (Complete parking information can be found below on this page.) The music for this service is by Shir Magic, our four-voice musical group with acoustic guitars, whose harmonies bring a contemporary sound to both contemporary and traditional Jewish and folk melodies.

Tashlich - Congregants gather at 6:00 p.m. on Braes Bayou across from the Jewish Community Center to engage in this traditional ceremony of casting our sins adrift in the waters.

Yom Kippur - After our evening and children's services described above, we continue with the morning service which begins at 11:00 a.m. The music for this Gates of Repentance service features the cantor and professional choir.

If Not Now... This creative alternative that runs concurrently with our morning service, is held at First Christian Church (across the street) at 11:00 a.m. High School students lead this service which includes guitar music led by Barbara Loeser and a sermon by one of our rabbis.

Afternoon Service - 1:15 p.m. - Our afternoon service is an interactive journey through Jewish history. Recollection, revelation and redemption are set against the background of traditional and contemporary music.

A Confession For Our Time - 3:00 p.m. - This creative service focuses on the contemporary meaning of Yom Kippur. The music is provided by Shir Magic.

Yizkor & Neilah - 4:15 p.m. - We consider the themes of life and death as we remember our loved ones and unite in comfort and community.
 

High Holy Day Ticket Policy

All members in good standing will receive their High Holy Day tickets through the mail. A "member in good standing" is defined as one who is current in all financial obligations to the Temple, or who has made arrangements to become current and is keeping to their agreement.

We do not sell tickets, nor are they available for unaffiliated family and friends who live in the Houston
area. Your adult children who are 24 years of age and older must be a member to receive a ticket. If you have questions about your account or would like membership information, please call Sara Astrich, (713) 529-5771, ext. 224.

In order to request a guest ticket for your out of town family (living at least 100 miles out of the greater Houston area), please call the Temple office to make arrangements. Guest tickets will not be mailed. They can be picked up at the Temple during regular office hours, after September 5. We ask that you call first to be sure they are ready.

Minor children do not need a ticket. If a member of your family belongs to another Houston synagogue and wants to worship with you at Emanu EI, we will be happy to admit them to our services by showing their congregation ticket.
 

Parking

Please park at Rice University Football Stadium and board the buses which will take you to and from Emanu El. Parking on the lot at the Temple for all services will be restricted this year to those persons requiring handicap arrangements.

Downtown at the Hyatt, we have arranged complimentary parking at 3 parking lots from which you can choose. High Holy Day Tickets are required in order to enter these lots. Please, do not park in any reserved space at any of these lots. You will be towed.

• 804 Polk - Self parking
• 1401 Milam - Self parking
• The Hyatt Regency Garage (1200 Louisiana) - Valet parking ONLY.
  

Wheelchair Seating or Services Over the Phone

Please contact Linda Stein, (713) 529-5771, ext. 216 or Iindas@emanuelhouston.org.

Note: Wheelchair seating will be released 15 minutes prior to the beginning of the service.
 

Captioning

Brotherhood is providing captioning for our High Holy Day worshippers who are hearing impaired. There will be seats reserved on the south side of the Sanctuary.
 

Large Print Prayer Books & Hearing Devices

There will be a supply of large print Prayer Books on hand near the sound desk at the back of the Sanctuary. Congregants can check out hearing devices from the Sound desk. Please return them when you leave.